Valhi Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000		500,000,000
Treasury stock, shares	13,200,000	13,200,000	13,200,000
Percentage of shares held by majority-owned subsidiary that has to be considered for voting purpose	100.00%
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Outstanding stock options		0	0
Director Plan
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized				200,000
Shares awarded under new plan	10,500	12,000	5,000
Common stock available for future grant	166,500
Series A Preferred Stock
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	5,000
Preferred stock liquidation preference, per share	$ 133,466.75
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference	$ 667.3
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01
Non-cumulative dividend on preferred stock	6.00%
NL
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Treasury stock, shares	14,400,000	14,400,000
NL | Director Plan
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock available for future grant	177,000
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares available for purchase	1,950,000
Treasury stock, shares	1,700,000	1,700,000
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. | Director Plan
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock available for future grant	177,000
CompX | Director Plan
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock available for future grant	181,000
Common stock
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares available for purchase				10,000,000